Energy prices & tariffs explained… can you save yourself some money?

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It’s cut your energy day today so I’m wanting to take full opportunity to talk to you about energy tariffs in the hope that I can give you some info that you didn’t already know that may save yourself some money on your next energy bill (or two!)

National cut energy cost day

What energy tariff are you on?

Do you even know what type of tariff you are on when it comes to your energy? I know I didn’t until a couple of years ago.

It took me nearly 10 years to change my energy supplier for the first time because I thought it was just too difficult I had no desire of wanting to know!

You can check your most recent bill or log on to your energy provider to find out what your tariff is but once you do that it’s likely it means nothing!

Energy tariffs

Variable

Variable rates mean the price of your energy could go both up and down. Your energy prices can go up or down – with no end date you’ll never have to renew your contract and aren’t tied in.

Fixed

This type of tariff guarantees the price of your energy for a set period of time. After this time you’re free to switch and potentially save again, but if you leave early, you’ll probably be charged an exit fee.

Fixed rates are helpful for keeping control of your budget and chances are the rates you’ll pay will probably be lower than those of the standard tariff. Fixed rate tariffs are designed to protect you from energy price rises.

When your fixed rate tariff ends you will need to find another fixed rate tariff or your provider will switch you over to a variable rate (see above).

Capped

Capped tariffs mean that the cost of your energy per unit (KwH) is capped at a certain point. Prices can be capped in two different ways:

Capped prices per KwH – where the maximum price is set per unit of power consumed.

Capped prices in comparison to another price – where the maximum difference between one tariff compared another one is fixed in advance, for example: the tariff (1) capped rate will be no more than x-% over tariff (2)

It’s worth noting that prices can go down as well as up however the rates or price won’t ever exceed the agreed limit.

Don’t be fooled that it will cap your monthly payment per month however it doesn’t cap the total cost of your payments at the end of the month and it isn’t usually the cheapest tariff; this depends on how much gas or electricity you use. If you want to cap your monthly payment you want to check out a fixed tariff.

Other

Unlimited

A few energy providers have what are described as ‘unlimited’ tariffs, where you pay a fixed amount each month, regardless of how much energy you use.

However prices are based on what you used the year before so they’re not cheap. These are one-year deals and the price depends on what you’ve used in the past.

They’re only good if you are likely to use much more and are worried about the bill – for example, you’ve now retired and are now at home all day compared to the previous year.

If your consumption does increase during your first year, your direct debit is likely to be higher if you go for the same deal again.

Duel fuel

Duel fuel (although technically not a tariff it is a way to save a few pennies) is where you get both your gas and electricity from one supplier.

Suppliers may also give you a discount in order to get double your custom.

It’s also worth checking what deals you could get if you signed up for gas and electricity separately instead of getting dual fuel from one provider – those savings might outweigh any discount you’re offered for both.

Pre-payment

This is the energy equivalent of a PAYG mobile phone. You’ll need to have a pre-payment meter to use it. As the name suggests, you pay for the energy before you use it by topping up the meter online, with a key, card or tokens.

Although it’s usually the most expensive way to pay for your energy but it does give you total control over what you’re using and spending.

Solar panels tariffs: Feed-in.

This type of tariff applies to what you get paid by energy companies, rather than you having to pay them. It’s only applicable if you generate your own power, e.g. through solar panels.

Green tariffs

Green tariffs, also known as ‘eco’ or renewable tariffs, are those that whereby the amount of energy you use will be ‘given back’ by your supplier to the National Grid in renewable energy. Alternatively, they may supply your home with 100% renewable energy, a mix of renewable and non-renewable or they may contribute to environmental projects instead.

Green tariffs aren’t necessarily the most expensive however their price isn’t their selling point and they may cost more than the cheapest tariff so double check before you sign up.

Economy

With the economy tariffs which are usually followed by a number mean that you’ll typically get cheaper ‘off peak’ energy for either seven or ten hours a day.

Economy 7 usually has its off-peak hours around midnight and 7am, whereas Economy 10 spreads its cheapest hours throughout the day at set times.

Off-peak energy can be cheap, but whatever you use outside of these times will be charged at a much higher cost.

It’s likely you’ll get a smart meter to monitor rates.

This could be helpful if you can arrange to use energy at off-peak times or those in your household are shift workers for example. But if you know you won’t change your habits to make the most of the discounted rates, think before you switch.

If you have any questions on your energy or want some more information on ways to save money then feel free to check out some of my previous posts below and if you want to know if you can save some money on your energy bills then get in touch with your energy provider to find out your tariff and head over to uSwitch now.

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About

Are you looking for hints and tips to stretch the family budget or do you just want to ensure you’re getting the best for your buck at all times?

Then this mummy saving expert is here for you!

I’m Kirsty. A mother of two (three if you include the hubby!). I created this blog back in 2016 as a way to make myself accountable for the savings I had to make myself to my day to life after reducing my hours at work. Childcare costs meant I was pretty much working for nothing!

My aim is to help you live the good life for less. To do that I not only confidently share with my readers tried and tested ways to make, save and spend your money wisely; but I also write about a range of other parenting topics including my mental health battles as a working mum because you needn’t pay a fortune to look after yourself either!